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en-usCopyright 2015 AOL, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/02/02/games-of-a-lifetime-xavs-picks/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/02/02/games-of-a-lifetime-xavs-picks/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/02/02/games-of-a-lifetime-xavs-picks/#commentsAfter more than ten years devoted to video games and the people who make them, Joystiq is closing its doors. We won't be reporting on the best games of 2015, so join us for one last hurrah as the Joystiq family reveals their Games of a Lifetime.

Chrono TriggerIn my recent Joystiq Presents episode I talked about the profound impact the strategy guide of Chrono Trigger had on my love of games. Being able to finally play the game, just thinking of the first time I had that chance, still gets me a little choked up.

It still stands as my favorite game of all time. I've played it a countless amount of times on so many platforms. It has wonderful characters, a story about fighting fate and shaping the world. I don't know if was supposed to be so "heady," but I think of it that way. It was meaningful, it showed the consequences of action, it had a talking Frog and a badass Robot.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bioshockbioshock-infinitechrono-crosschrono-triggergames-of-a-lifetimegoodbyehideo-kojimajoystiqken-levinemetal-gear-solidnhl-94recommendedMon, 02 Feb 2015 17:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/03/old-man-snake-goes-digital-in-metal-gear-solid-4-re-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/03/old-man-snake-goes-digital-in-metal-gear-solid-4-re-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/03/old-man-snake-goes-digital-in-metal-gear-solid-4-re-release/#comments
If you missed the collection of dramatic cutscenes known as Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, you have another chance to grab the stealth action hit in a newly-revealed digital release. Come December 16, Konami will launch a PlayStation 3 download of Metal Gear Solid 4 on the PlayStation Network at a price of $20.

While Metal Gear Solid 4 has been repackaged before, Konami claims this digital release will mark "the first time the acclaimed tactical espionage game has been made available as a digital download." That should help alleviate the lengthy installation players face on first starting Metal Gear Solid 4, but those lacking bandwidth be warned: According to Konami, the digital game is a 30GB download.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digitalhideo-kojimakonamimetal-gear-solidMetal-Gear-Solid-4-Guns-of-the-PatriotsMGS-4MGS4MGS4-Guns-of-the-Patriotsplaystationplaystation-networkps3sonyWed, 03 Dec 2014 21:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/29/kojima-to-show-new-metal-gear-online-at-the-game-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/29/kojima-to-show-new-metal-gear-online-at-the-game-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/29/kojima-to-show-new-metal-gear-online-at-the-game-awards/#comments
Just because legendary super spy Solid Snake tends to fly solo doesn't mean you have to: Metal Gear Online is coming back, reintroducing the deadly game of cats-and-also-cats to the Metal Gear series. To go along with this revelation, there's some good news and bad news.

The bad news is we don't know anything else about this new version of MGO yet. The good news is we won't have to wait long to find out more, as series creator Hideo Kojima will premiere Metal Gear Online at The Game Awards, which will air December 5. We assume there will be plenty of ! in the audience.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Geoff-Keighleyhideo-kojimakonamimetal-gear-onlinemetal-gear-solidthe-game-awardsthe-game-awards-2014Sat, 29 Nov 2014 13:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/31/metal-gear-solid-5-ground-zeroes-gets-permanent-price-cut/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/31/metal-gear-solid-5-ground-zeroes-gets-permanent-price-cut/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/31/metal-gear-solid-5-ground-zeroes-gets-permanent-price-cut/#comments
Konami announced a permanent price drop for Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes this week, cutting the game's cost down to $19.99 on all platforms. Ground Zeroes is now priced at £19.99 and €19.99 in Europe as well. The game will reach Steam on December 18.

Acting as a prologue to Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain and also set after the events of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, Ground Zeroes took players through a rescue mission as series hero Snake. Ground Zeroes launched in March for $30, and according to our review was "also 30 bucks for one hell of a cliffhanger" as the game wound up "teasing more than it satisfies." The next proper entry in the series, Metal Gear Solid 5, will launch in 2015.

Boss Fight Books: Season 2 is a collection of six books that each exhaustively cover a single game, with developer interviews and other supplementary material accompanying author insight. Announced works include Spelunky by designer Derek Yu, Baldur's Gate 2 by author Matt Bell, Bible Adventures by Gabe Durham, World of Warcraft by Daniel Lisi, and Metal Gear Solid by Hey Ash, Whatcha Playin'? creators Ashly and Anthony Burch. The subject of a sixth book will be picked from nominations suggested by Kickstarter backers.

Originally pitched as "the 33 1/3 of video games," Boss Fight Books launched last year with a series of six volumes covering Galaga, Jagged Alliance 2, and other titles at length. Actor Ken Baumann penned the first entry in the series, offering a personal look at Nintendo's widely praised SNES RPG Earthbound.

Boss Fight Books: Season 2 has already surpassed its Kickstarter funding goal. Books will begin shipping out to backers in May, 2015.

Hopefully witnessing 20 minutes of new gameplay footage direct from Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain can alleviate the sting of learning that Metal Gear maestro Hideo Kojima refuses to commit to a release date any more specific than a nebulous "2015."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>metal-gearmetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-5metal-gear-solid-ground-zeroesmicrosoftpcplaystationps3ps4the-phantom-painxboxxbox-oneThu, 18 Sep 2014 14:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/31/metal-gear-solid-5-preview-goes-gala-during-gamescom/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/31/metal-gear-solid-5-preview-goes-gala-during-gamescom/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/31/metal-gear-solid-5-preview-goes-gala-during-gamescom/#comments
In a powerful demonstration of the mantra "go big or go home," Konami will be previewing Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain not on a show floor, but at a special gala event in Cologne, Germany, the company has announced. The celebration will take place at the Cologne Musical Dome at 8 p.m. CET on August 13, coinciding with Gamescom 2014.

The event will also be streamed via Konami's Twitch page, meaning you won't have to be a globe-trotting super-spy in order to attend. Simply tune in at 11 a.m. Pacific / 2 p.m. Eastern to catch the preview as it happens.

A related Konami press release promises a live Q&A session with Metal Gear Solid series creator Hideo Kojima, as well as "a few surprises." Considering the last "surprise" turned out to be a massive fake-out revolving around a fake company and a Swedish pseudonym, we can't even begin to imagine what Kojima has in mind.

The Metal Gear Solid 5 prologue known as Ground Zeroes is a short (if massively replayable) game, made even shorter in the hands of Reddit user Mimalmo, who completes the mission with a sterling S rank in just under four minutes.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>konamimetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid--5-ground-zeroesmetal-gear-solid-ground-zeroesmicrosoftplaystationps4speedrunxbox-oneWed, 02 Jul 2014 15:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/10/konami-net-income-half-of-last-years-despite-solid-game-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/10/konami-net-income-half-of-last-years-despite-solid-game-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/10/konami-net-income-half-of-last-years-despite-solid-game-sales/#comments
Konami has released its financial report for fiscal year 2014, which ended March 31. The company's overall net income for 2014 was 6.2 billion yen ($60.9 million), down from 13.2 billion yen in 2013. Net revenue also dipped, though not as much: 217.6 billion yen ($2.1 billion) in 2014, down from 226 billion yen in 2013.

The company's Gaming And Systems business segment was the only division to improve its operating income, but before you get your hopes up, know that this section of Konami actually handles casino games. Video games fall under the Digital Entertainment segment, which fell from an operating income of 11.7 billion yen ($114.9 million) in 2014, down from 21.2 billion yen in 2013. These numbers are despite what the company called "solid" sales of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.

We'd make a joke about Konami's choice of words matching nicely with the name of Ground Zeroes' protagonist, but as we all know, the game doesn't star Solid Snake, it stars his father, Big Boss, AKA Naked Snake, AKA Punished Snake, who isn't really his father but is instead the person from whom Solid Snake was cloned, who died but wasn't dead, and was rebuilt using pieces from his other cloned "sons" and ... whatever. Nanomachines.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessfinancialskonamimetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-5metal-gear-solid-ground-zeroesSat, 10 May 2014 11:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/14/metal-gear-creator-kojima-talks-snatcher-potential-mobile-adven/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/14/metal-gear-creator-kojima-talks-snatcher-potential-mobile-adven/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/14/metal-gear-creator-kojima-talks-snatcher-potential-mobile-adven/#comments
Though it's not likely that we'll see a Hideo Kojima game on mobile devices in the near future, it is a possibility that the Metal Gear Solid creator has put some thought into.

In a interview broadcast via Twitch, Kojima sat down with Geoff Keighley to field questions from the public. When asked if he'd ever develop a game for the mobile platform, Kojima stated that he has no desire to create the short, replayable diversions that constitute most mobile games. Instead, he cites indie hit Papers, Please as a personal favorite and claims that he would eventually like to develop "a practical, easy to play adventure game that is quite deep."

"[I have] no idea when I'll be able to do this, but I'll ask," Kojima added via translator. "[H]opefully someday in the future I will be able to develop one of those, but unfortunately, right now, my full time is devoted to The Phantom Pain."

A later question centered on the future of Snatcher, Kojima's cult classic adventure game that, while highly regarded, has been overshadowed by Metal Gear Solid. While Kojima would like to see Snatcher return, he has no time to develop a sequel himself, but wouldn't be opposed to someone else reviving the sci fi epic. "If someone wants to adapt those games ... I would definitely support that person, I would help out that person, but I don't think there are too many people like that."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimametal-gearmetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-5metal-gear-solid-ground-zeroesmobilesnatcherthe-phantom-paintwitchFri, 14 Mar 2014 17:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/12/19/amazon-metal-gear-rising-revengeance-hits-pc-in-january/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/12/19/amazon-metal-gear-rising-revengeance-hits-pc-in-january/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/12/19/amazon-metal-gear-rising-revengeance-hits-pc-in-january/#comments
Amazon, the Brobdingnagian online retailer, is now allowing players to pre-order the PC iteration of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance for $20 - $10 less than its suggested retail price - in expectation of a January 9 release date.

VG247 claims to have even more information on the release, stating that both the Blade Wolf and Jetstream Sam DLC will be included by default with the PC release. That's not too shocking, as Konami recently bundled the game's DLC in with its console version at a new $30 price point.

If you need further proof of the price drop, Steam's holiday sale currently offers the game at a $20 price point while also corroborating Amazon's January 9 release date. It fails to mention when Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance will begin to pre-load, but at least we the release date seems nailed down. Of course, if $20 is too still too pricey for you, you could take the advice of this CheapAssGamer forum post and score the game for $15 by using a coupon code at GameFly.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classic-snakedeja-vuhideo-kojimaKojima-Productionskonamimetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid--5-ground-zeroesmetal-gear-solid-ground-zeroesplaystationps3ps4solid-snakespike-ps4Thu, 14 Nov 2013 23:54:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/06/konami-unveils-la-studio-instrumental-to-metal-gear-solid-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/06/konami-unveils-la-studio-instrumental-to-metal-gear-solid-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/06/konami-unveils-la-studio-instrumental-to-metal-gear-solid-gam/#comments
Konami opened a new, Los Angeles-based branch of Kojima Productions today, expanding the sphere of mad scientist/game developer Hideo Kojima's influence to the shores of North America. The new studio, appropriately named Kojima Productions Los Angeles, will be "instrumental" to the development of a variety of games, but mostly the Metal Gear Solid series.

"Los Angeles is ground zero for the best studios, facilities and world-class talent, we are leaning on these local resources to build an incredible team to create gaming experiences that are just as compelling as any film or television show," Kojima said.

Kojima Productions LA will also be in charge of Metal Gear Solid 5's online multiplayer. Kojima recently told Joystiq during a MGS5 preview that he wants the Japan-based branch and LA-based branch to "kind of compete, but kinda co-operate and work together to form the true form of Kojima Productions." Kojima declined to say if said "true form" will be a giant robot dinosaur.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Kojima-Productionskonamimetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-5metal-gear-solid-ground-zeroesmicrosoftpcplaystationps3the-phantom-painxboxFri, 06 Sep 2013 14:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/31/hollywood-producer-avi-arad-talks-uncharted-mass-effect-metal/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/31/hollywood-producer-avi-arad-talks-uncharted-mass-effect-metal/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/31/hollywood-producer-avi-arad-talks-uncharted-mass-effect-metal/#comments
The Uncharted, Mass Effect, and Metal Gear Solid films are all coming along, albeit slowly, Hollywood producer Avi Arad revealed to Kotaku. Arad has had his hand in many successful comic book adaptations, such as Blade, Spider-Man, X-Men, and Iron Man. Now, he believes that it's time video game adaptations have their turn in the spotlight, and who better to lead that charge than handsome treasure hunter, Nathan Drake?

"I think Uncharted will be very successful," Arad said. "Now, the script has a lot of character [and] I think that has a shot at being the first one [to succeed]." The Uncharted film does not have a projected release date, and is currently listed as "announced" on IMDB.

Arad also said that when he looks at Metal Gear Solid, he sees the story of Cain and Abel. It's pretty obvious Arad meant the remark not to be taken literally, but it does make the Cain and Abel story seem just a bit cooler if you imagine them as cloned super-soldiers with giant, nuclear dinosaur robots. Arad told Kotaku he would be sitting down with Kojima soon to discuss the film and negotiate further details, but its release is likely three or more years away.

Lastly, Arad touched on the Mass Effect film, which is "getting there," though the final release is likely five or six years away. "It's a big idea, that we, humans, are the least developed, the least trusted, it's an interesting mirror image of our world, we are the aliens now," Arad said.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avi-aradmass-effectmetal-gear-solidmoviesunchartedSat, 31 Aug 2013 20:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/25/kojima-seeking-studio-to-remake-metal-gear-solid-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/25/kojima-seeking-studio-to-remake-metal-gear-solid-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/25/kojima-seeking-studio-to-remake-metal-gear-solid-again/#commentsUpdate: Kojima has tweeted that "a rumor about remaking MGS1+2" is "not true," and that his statement "has been modified in the thread or something." Kojima further elaborated that he'd want to remake MGS1 and 2 in Fox Engine if possible, but that Kojima Productions is too busy with Metal Gear Solid 5 and "other prioritized titles."

"I wouldn't mind if talented creator from outside studio making this happen," Kojima said, though that is different from saying that he is actively seeking a studio to fill that role.

Original: Metal Gear series director Hideo Kojima is currently seeking a studio to remake Metal Gear Solid using the Fox Engine, Gamereactor UK reports. Kojima noted his interest during a recent roundtable interview, after a fan requested remakes for the first two Metal Gear Solid games.

The Twin Snakes, a 2004 remake of the original Metal Gear Solid, was developed by Silicon Knights during the studio's brief stint as a second-party Nintendo developer, and remains a GameCube exclusive. Series compilations like Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection and the upcoming Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection feature the original PSone version of Metal Gear Solid.

While Metal Gear Solid 2 and Metal Gear Solid 3 were remade for 2011's release of Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, the original game in the series continues to elude an HD makeover.

Kojima noted that some of Metal Gear Solid's mechanics would require updating for a potential remake, but gave no further details. Kojima previously expressed doubts that Metal Gear Solid could be updated for modern audiences, explaining that "It was a game made for a certain era -- not just the story, but the controls and everything about it reflect that era in which the game was made."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fox-enginehd-remakehideo-kojimajust-add-waterkojima-productionsmetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-the-twin-snakessilicon-knightsTue, 25 Jun 2013 15:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/05/metal-gear-solid-legacy-collection-coming-to-japan-in-july-incl/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/05/metal-gear-solid-legacy-collection-coming-to-japan-in-july-incl/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/05/metal-gear-solid-legacy-collection-coming-to-japan-in-july-incl/#comments
The official Japanese site for the Metal Gear Solid Legacy Collection includes a few more details than was seen in the bundle's initial announcement. For starters, the pack will include "a 100-page artbook filled with [series artist Yoji] Shinkawa's work," according to a translation by MetalGearSolid.nl. The official Japanese site also lists a July 11 release date for Japan.

The English site for the Metal Gear Solid Legacy Collection also notes that the inclusion of both Metal Gear Solid 1 and Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions are via PSN download vouchers packed in to the bundle. The 100-page artbook isn't listed for the North American version of the collection.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArtBookKonamimetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-the-legacy-collectionplaystationps3Sun, 05 May 2013 17:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/why-kojima-wanted-mgs-legacy-to-include-graphic-novels/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/why-kojima-wanted-mgs-legacy-to-include-graphic-novels/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/why-kojima-wanted-mgs-legacy-to-include-graphic-novels/#commentsMetal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima has taken to Twitter to add some insight into why he decided to include two graphic novels by artist Ashley Wood in the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Legacy Collection.

The first two Metal Gear Solid have "got different control feeling" compared to modern games, says Kojima through a translator. The graphic novels are meant as more of a "watch MGS" mode for those raised on modern control schemes.

With more remakes and longer series lately, it's not uncommon to see developers help players get players caught up on a universe one way or another. Including a graphic novel for backstory is an interesting way to make up for gameplay differences over a series' lifetime.

The Legacy Collection will be out in June for PS3 and include the first two games, if you're up for the challenge, along with MGS 3, Peace Walker, MGS 4, and MGS: VR Missions.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>graphic-novelhideo-kojimalegacy-collectionmetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-the-legacy-collectionmgs-legacy-collectionplaystationps3Mon, 29 Apr 2013 23:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/22/metal-gear-solid-legacy-collection-brings-a-box-of-snakes-to-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/22/metal-gear-solid-legacy-collection-brings-a-box-of-snakes-to-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/22/metal-gear-solid-legacy-collection-brings-a-box-of-snakes-to-p/#commentsThe Metal Gear Solid "Legacy Collection" found on a Korean rating has now been officially announced by Konami. The PS3 collection brings together Metal Gear Solid, the HD Collection versions of Metal Gear Solid 2, 3, and Peace Walker, and the "Trophy Edition" of Metal Gear Solid 4, along with the relatively hard-to-find Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions and two digital graphic novels by Ashley Wood, in a handsome package that might make some consider buying them again.

Metal Gear fans have an affinity for fancy cardboard boxes. The collection will be released in North and South America in June. Konami has yet to specify a price.

Attendees of the San Francisco expo can look forward to "Photorealism through the eyes of a 'FOX:' The Core of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes," a talk which features a demonstration of Kojima Production's shiny new FOX engine, including discussion of its environmental changes, as revealed last September. Kojima will be joined by Ground Zeroes technical director Junji Tago, lighting artist Masayuki Suzuki, and CG art director Hideki Sasaki.

This is a rare coup for GDC; the last time Kojima spoke at the conference was back in 2009, when we were wondering if Metal Gear Solid 4 was coming to Xbox 360, and what "the next MGS" would be. Four years on, speculation lingers around the celebrated designer's long-running series after the curious reveal of The Phantom Pain. Whether or not Kojima chooses the venue of GDC to spill any stealthily concealed beans, the talk should provide more than a few exclamation marks to enjoy.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GDCgdc-2013hideo-kojimakojima-productionsmetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-ground-zeroesWed, 13 Feb 2013 14:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/08/the-phantom-pain-speculation-round-up-metal-gear/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/08/the-phantom-pain-speculation-round-up-metal-gear/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/08/the-phantom-pain-speculation-round-up-metal-gear/#commentsThe biggest surprise to come from last night's Spike TV Video Game Awards was undoubtedly the announcement of The Phantom Pain, a seemingly new IP from a completely unknown Swedish development house called Moby Dick Studio. The debut trailer showed a hospital under attack from an ominously obscured figure, and ended on a macro shot of an amputee that bore a striking resemblance to Solid Snake of Metal Gear Solid fame.

Wait, Solid Snake? Metal Gear?! But, how could that be possible in a new franchise from a new developer that isn't Konami or Kojima Productions? Hey actually, now that we think about it, why is a brand-new studio getting to premiere a teaser for its first-ever game at an event generally reserved for AAA titles from global publishers?

Perhaps there's more to this than meets the eye. Let's take an in-depth, spoiler filled look at what evidence there is so far, and why all signs point to this being a new entry in the Metal Gear mythos.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analysishideo-kojimaJoakim-Mogrenla-li-lu-le-lometal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-5metal-gear-solid-ground-zeroesmicrosoftmoby-dick-studiomoby-dick-studiosplaystationplot-analysisps3speculationthe-phantom-painvga-2012xboxSat, 08 Dec 2012 19:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/10/metal-gear-solid-ground-zeroes-features-day-night-cycles/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/10/metal-gear-solid-ground-zeroes-features-day-night-cycles/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/10/metal-gear-solid-ground-zeroes-features-day-night-cycles/#commentsMetal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes' open world has a day and night cycle, something Hideo Kojima believes can enhance the game's replay value. The Metal Gear Solid creator told Eurogamer things like "enemy troop patterns" are noticeably different between daylight and darkness. Kojima also revealed a less inviting feature of the open world, confirming the game has loading screens.

Ground Zeroes debuted at PAX earlier this month, showcased in a trailer which saw Snake try to infiltrate a compound at night. Whether or not that particular mission is possible during daylight remains to be seen (pun intended), or what other elements are dependent on the time of day.

In the meantime, Konami has released some screenshots taken from the trailer, so you can have a hi-res gander right below.

According to Andriasang, Social Ops revisits stories from previous MGS games, features a card-based battle system, and has Mother Base development options reminiscent of Peace Walker. Attendees at September's Tokyo Game Show should find out, as a playable build is scheduled to be there. In the meantime, Famitsu has a coupleof screenshots to check out.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GREEiosiphonejapankonamimetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-social-opsmobilesocial-gamestgs-2012tokyo-game-showThu, 30 Aug 2012 05:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/metal-gear-ground-zeroes-reportedly-teased-in-fox-engine-debu/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/metal-gear-ground-zeroes-reportedly-teased-in-fox-engine-debu/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/metal-gear-ground-zeroes-reportedly-teased-in-fox-engine-debu/#commentsAttendees of this evening's Metal Gear 25th anniversary event in Japan are taking to Twitter with commentary on "Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes," which appears to be a brand new stealth game starring the ever-stalwart Snake.

The demo reportedly showed Snake infiltrating a rain-drenched compound, avoiding search lights, offing a guard, driving a jeep and then summoning a helicopter in a seamless, open-world environment. The description meshes with designer Hideo Kojima's cryptic commentary on "Project Ogre," which he described as "very free."

We can likely expect a more formal demonstration and less secretive video from Kojima Productions in the near future. For now, the Twitter consensus paints the Fox Engine, which powered the demo of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes, as something deserving of your oohs and aahs.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fox-enginehideo-kojimakojima-productionskonamimetal-gear-ground-zeroesmetal-gear-solidmicrosoftpcplaystationproject-ogreps3xboxThu, 30 Aug 2012 03:36:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/metal-gear-solid-movie-coming-care-of-columbia-pictures/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/metal-gear-solid-movie-coming-care-of-columbia-pictures/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/metal-gear-solid-movie-coming-care-of-columbia-pictures/#commentsYou'll have to be more specific in your snide commentary the next time you think to call Metal Gear Solid a movie. There will be a proper film based on the popular Konami property, said X-Men and Spider-Man producer Avi Arad, who announced the project at a special Metal Gear 25th anniversary event in Japan.

Metal Gear Solid designer and figurehead Hideo Kojima hinted at a film project back in March, suggesting that the franchise in its current state wouldn't be quite compatible with Hollywood. The extent of his participation is currently unclear, as is the film's production schedule, plot and likelihood of relying on nanobots to explain all the weird-ass things that happen.

The film will come courtesy of Columbia Pictures, and be praised and lambasted in equal measure for its use of 40-minute long "audience participation scenes."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsavi-aradhideo-kojimaKojima-Productionskonamimetal-gear-solidmicrosoftnintendoplaystationplaystation-vitaps3pspsonyvitaxboxThu, 30 Aug 2012 02:17:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/29/metal-gear-raiden-joins-cast-of-playstation-all-stars/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/29/metal-gear-raiden-joins-cast-of-playstation-all-stars/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/29/metal-gear-raiden-joins-cast-of-playstation-all-stars/#commentsRaiden from the Metal Gear Solid series is officially in PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale. Lead game designer Seth Killian shows off Raiden in a video on Gamespot.

Raiden's strength lies in one-on-one attacks and air combos, and his level 3 super involves trapping all of the other players under boxes for easy pickings. Characters in All-Stars generally have about two dozen moves, but with his combo chains, Raiden has three or four dozen, Killian says.

Kojima will participate in a discussion dedicated to the past, present, and future of the Metal Gear franchise at the big Seattle-based fan event, at 1pm PST on Saturday, September 1, with GTTV host Geoff Keighley acting as moderator. PAX Prime runs from August 31 until September 2.

"The one hour introspective will focus on the history of the award winning franchise in celebration of Metal Gear's 25th anniversary this year," Konami says. Questions for Kojima will be decided by vote, via an upcoming poll on the official Metal Gear Solid Facebook page.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kojima-productionskonamimetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-hd-collectionplaystationplaystation-vitavitaThu, 12 Apr 2012 02:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/kojima-working-on-something-related-to-film-announcement-comi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/kojima-working-on-something-related-to-film-announcement-comi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/kojima-working-on-something-related-to-film-announcement-comi/#commentsDuring a heavily curated question and answer session at the Smithsonian Museum of Art, Hideo Kojima was asked whether he is interested in making films, as his lifelong passion for the cinema has heavily influenced the way he makes games.

According to the Metal Gear Mogul himself, filmmaking is something he's always been interested in and has wanted to try, although he doesn't believe Metal Gear Solid would work as a film in its current form. That doesn't mean he isn't working on anything, however: "I'm working on something, and I hope in the near future I'll have something to announce."

Well then! Here's hoping for that live-action Snatcher adaptation we've been dreaming of since 1994.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cinemafilmhideo-kojimakonamimetal-gear-solidSmithsonianSmithsonian-Museum-of-Artthe-art-of-videogamesSat, 17 Mar 2012 13:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/kojima-productions-planning-new-studio-in-california/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/kojima-productions-planning-new-studio-in-california/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/kojima-productions-planning-new-studio-in-california/#commentsKojima Productions is looking to do some Kojima Producing in the US, according to senior producer Kenichiro Imaizumi. Discussing a new brand manager position on Twitter, Imaizumi said "Yes, we plan to open a studio in CA. IF we can find the right people."

In what we hope is a coincidence, this comes right after our newly California-located editor-in-chief delivered his tongue-in-cheek pitch for a new Metal Gear game, while passing along news of Kojipro's impending development efforts. You can't have him, Imaizumi!

If you're Japanese-English bilingual and California-local, however, and you're not my boss, you can swing by booth 1914 at the career pavilion at GDC to get in on this opportunity.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>californiakenichiro-imaizumikojima-productionskonamimetal-gear-solidWed, 22 Feb 2012 11:15:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/next-metal-gear-solid-targeted-for-high-end-consoles-and-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/next-metal-gear-solid-targeted-for-high-end-consoles-and-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/next-metal-gear-solid-targeted-for-high-end-consoles-and-pc/#commentsJoystiq can exclusively reveal that the next Metal Gear Solid will feature intense zero-gravity chess, cybernetic nano-crocodiles, mirror universe machinations and a trash-compactor escape scene that will serve both as Star Wars homage and finger-wagging sermon on humanity's crushing impact on the environment. Well, provided the Joystiq staff are hired to work on the game.

Kojima Productions has unveiled an extensive list of available jobs, hinged on evolving the in-development Fox Engine and, more importantly, bringing the next game in the Byzantine franchise to life. According to the page introduction, Hideo Kojima and co. are on the hunt for engineers, artists, designers and a brand manager to handle "the latest Metal Gear Solid targeted for high-end consoles and PC."

If you think you can bolster the Fox Engine with new rendering tech, create "fantastic game content," or cultivate MGS "as a global mega-hit franchise in all regions," you should swing by the Game Developers Conference Career Pavilion between March 6 and March 9 and make yourself known.

We might nudge you out of the way as we deliver our own game concept, which we're tentatively calling "Metal 6ear Solid: Sublimation Synthesis." Don't you just love the sound of that, Kojima?

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdc-2012hideo-kojimakojima-productionsmetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-nextpcWed, 22 Feb 2012 01:35:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/kojima-the-producer-open-to-mgs-remake-kojima-the-creator-not-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/kojima-the-producer-open-to-mgs-remake-kojima-the-creator-not-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/kojima-the-producer-open-to-mgs-remake-kojima-the-creator-not-s/#comments
Konami's recent Metal Gear Solid HD Collection is an odd product for shipping without anything called "Metal Gear Solid HD" in the box. One part of series creator Hideo Kojima views the omission as a call to be answered, while another is eager to spend less time in the past.

"There are a lot of people wanting remakes of the original, and as producer I want to answer those calls," Kojima tells Official PlayStation Magazine. "But as a creator I'm not very interested in going back. If we were to do it, it would have to be a total remake - the only thing that would be the same would be the story. If it happened at some point I would stay as a producer, but would have to hand off most of the actual creating."

We've heard of Metal Gear Solid's seemingly inevitable continuation before, and of Kojima's wearying dance between director and producer. The first Metal Gear Solid is satisfactory in being "the game I wanted to make," says Kojima, who sounds like he'd rather not meddle and make it once more -- never mind that it's already been redone in MGS: Twin Snakes with the help of Silicon Knights and Nintendo. "If you bring the gameplay up to modern standards, then you lose a bit of the original game. It was a game made for a certain era - not just the story, but the controls and everything about it reflect that era in which the game was made."

That's right. Back in the day, there wasn't enough visual fidelity to tell whose footprints those were -- and we liked it.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimametal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-hd-collectionmicrosoftplaystationps3remakexboxMon, 26 Dec 2011 17:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/metal-gear-solid-website-provides-handy-timeline-of-many-confusi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/metal-gear-solid-website-provides-handy-timeline-of-many-confusi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/metal-gear-solid-website-provides-handy-timeline-of-many-confusi/#comments
Having relaunched Metal Gear Rising as a full-on action game under the supervision of Platinum Games, Konami has taken the opportunity to freshen up its Metal Gear Solid series website. In addition to a bunch of media for each game, and, of course, purchase links, the new site offers an interactive timeline of highlights from the games, along with real-world events that are referenced in their labyrinthine, impenetrable plots.

A quick warning: all the old Metal Gear Solid: Rising media is still on the site, now labeled with Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance's title. If you're watching a trailer and there are watermelons or "Zan-Datsu" ... that's the old game.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>konamimetal-gearmetal-gear-rising-revengeancemetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-risingmicrosoftplaystationps3xboxMon, 12 Dec 2011 19:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/kojimas-project-ogre-will-be-different-but-not-anytime-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/kojimas-project-ogre-will-be-different-but-not-anytime-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/kojimas-project-ogre-will-be-different-but-not-anytime-soon/#comments
There's an unusually high concentration of Metal Gear(?!) buzzing around the industry right now: Metal Gear Solid HD Collection is upscaling its way through living rooms the world over, while Metal Gear Solid Rising's production continues, once again under the watchful eye of series progenitor Hideo Kojima. Metal Gear Solid 5 is even closer to being a thing now, but what about Kojima's other other baby, Project Ogre?

"I can't really say too much about that project yet, but it's a very subdued experience," Kojima said during an interview with Official PlayStation Magazine UK. "It's a little bit different to what I've done up until now. On the surface it will look similar, but once you get into it, it will be a different experience."

Announcements like this always get our blood pumping. Metal Gear set in medieval times? Zone of the Ogres? Whatever Project Ogre is, we at least know that it's a long way off: "The Ogre project is going to take a lot of time, so I want to produce some other things on the side, like I'm doing with Rising."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimakojimakonamimetal-gearmetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-5metal-gear-solid-hd-collectionmetal-gear-solid-risingproject-ogreSat, 26 Nov 2011 13:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/kojima-on-mgs5-well-probably-have-to-make-it-at-some-point/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/kojima-on-mgs5-well-probably-have-to-make-it-at-some-point/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/kojima-on-mgs5-well-probably-have-to-make-it-at-some-point/#comments
Last week, we reported that an Official PlayStation Magazine article revealed concrete plans for Metal Gear Solid 5, with Hideo Kojima at the helm. New quotes have emerged from the magazine that make the news seem a bit less ... solid.

Rather than boldly announcing that MGS 5 is happening, Kojima told the magazine that "I think we'll probably have to make it at some point, but what that will be, we have no idea." And rather than taking on the director job right away Kojima is, as ever, trying to free himself from Metal Gear. "As far as my involvement in the project is concerned, [it] probably won't be as much as it was with MGS1 - maybe I can do just one stage!" he said. Kojima told OPM that if he has other Kojima Productions staff make a game from the start, he won't have to step in to preserve his vision.

So the announcement no longer specifies a definite Metal Gear Solid 5, and no longer confirms Kojima directing it. We'll just have to go back to assuming both of those things.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimakojima-productionskonamimetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-5Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:10:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/tactical-espionage-announcement-kojima-working-on-metal-gear-so/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/tactical-espionage-announcement-kojima-working-on-metal-gear-so/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/tactical-espionage-announcement-kojima-working-on-metal-gear-so/#commentsThough this may not be a surprise worthy of even a single exclamation point, it's welcome news to fans of cardboard camouflage, fateful fistfights, and delicious, convenient Calorie Mates.

There's going to be a Metal Gear Solid 5. And, despite his constant efforts to extricate himself from the series, Hideo Kojima is going to be in charge of it -- though it's currently unclear whether that will be in a higher-level production capacity or as director.

The news comes out of the latest Official PlayStation Magazine UK, which finds a place for Hideo right on the cover. In the issue, Kojima discusses Metal Gear Solid Rising, his plans for this newly announced (but highly expected) sequel, and a new project called "Project Ogre." Whatever it is, we're sure it's not a new Snatcher game.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimakojima-productionskonamimetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-5Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/watch-solid-snake-peace-walk-through-this-village-in-mgs-peace/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/watch-solid-snake-peace-walk-through-this-village-in-mgs-peace/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/watch-solid-snake-peace-walk-through-this-village-in-mgs-peace/#comments
Start erasing all those memories you have with Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker on PSP, as Kojima Productions is currently updating the game for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 as part of the MGS HD Collection. Get a fresh taste of said HD-ification in the clip above. Watch out for that helicopter ... thing, Snake!

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kojima-productionskonamimetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-hd-collectionmetal-gear-solid-peace-walkermetal-gear-solid-peace-walker-hdmicrosoftplaystationps3xboxTue, 25 Oct 2011 18:46:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/risk-metal-gear-solid-sneaking-out-sometime-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/risk-metal-gear-solid-sneaking-out-sometime-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/risk-metal-gear-solid-sneaking-out-sometime-soon/#commentsMetal Gear Solid and the board game Risk are fusing in some intricate collaboration that we'd fully explain to you, but it would require a 90-minute cut scene. Here's the basic premise of Risk: Metal Gear Solid: players control one of five Private Military Companies vying for global dominance, by using a variation of the Risk 2008 rules update.

The game board consists of the standard six zones and 42 territories, along with an Outer Haven battleship addition. There are also 275 custom plastic pieces representing the five PMCs, neutral armies and cities; 8 Boss Cards, 40 Drebin's Cards, 42 Territory Cards and 8 Rewards that can be earned.

The board game will be available exclusively through USAopoly.com, beginning "presale" on October 3 for $50. No official launch date has been given. In the meantime, you can always play Risk: Halo Wars.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>board-gameHasbroKonamiMetal-Gear-Solidmetal-gear-solid-hd-collectionMetal-Gear-Solid-RiskRISKusaopolyThu, 22 Sep 2011 16:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/konami-reveals-metal-gear-solid-zone-of-the-enders-silent-hill/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/konami-reveals-metal-gear-solid-zone-of-the-enders-silent-hill/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/konami-reveals-metal-gear-solid-zone-of-the-enders-silent-hill/#comments
The Metal Gear Solid HD Collection will feature MGS 2, MGS 3: Snake Eater and MGS: Peace Walker -- strangely, the original Metal Gear Solid is absent. Why not just touch up Twin Snakes? Regardless, the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection will be available on the PS3 and Xbox and support 1080p graphics and, on the PS3, a neat 'Transfarring' feature where you can transfer your Peace Walker game save from your PSP to your PS3.

As for Zone of the Enders HD Collection, it's a collection of Zone of the Enders and Zone of the Enders 2, natch. Little beyond its existence was given, outside of a tentative 2012 launch window. It'll also be available on both the PS3 and Xbox 360, with the former version supporting the new Transfarring feature -- though in what way we're still trying to get clarification on. Update: Our own Mike Schramm is on-hand at the Konami event in LA and asked for clarification on the Transfarring feature in ZOE HD. "Wait for future announcements," a Konami representative replied. Looks like we'll have to wait for that clarification!

The Silent Hill Collection will feature only Silent Hill 2 and 3, touched up in HD. No exact consoles were mentioned.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>metal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-hd-collectionmicrosoftplaystationps3silent-hillsilent-hill-collectionsilent-hill-hd-collectionxboxzone-of-the-enderszone-of-the-enders-hd-collectionThu, 02 Jun 2011 20:21:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/modern-war-gear-solid-is-totally-coconuts/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/modern-war-gear-solid-is-totally-coconuts/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/modern-war-gear-solid-is-totally-coconuts/#comments
The latest episode in long-running series Modern War Gear Solid has just been uploaded. It's kind of hard to describe the series: it's part homage, part irreverent mish-mash of gaming's most beloved franchises. Find all five episodes past the break.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>metal-gear-solidmicrosoftmodern-war-gear-solidModern-Warfare-2pcplaystationps3spoofxboxThu, 12 May 2011 07:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/23/buy-signed-metal-gear-solid-games-to-help-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/23/buy-signed-metal-gear-solid-games-to-help-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/23/buy-signed-metal-gear-solid-games-to-help-japan/#comments
With one simple act, you can help the American Red Cross' efforts in Japan, help your game collection become more amazing, and help Otacon reconcile with his sister. All you need to do is purchasing the Hideo Kojima-autographed copy of Metal Gear Solid 2 that Play for Japan is auctioning off for Red Cross funds. It was donated by Sam Kennedy of 1UP.

Would you prefer a different signed Metal Gear Solid game as a reward for your generous donation? Alex Fraioli is auctioning a Japanese copy of Metal Gear Solid Integral signed by the designer. Andrew Vestal provided a copy of MGS3 signed by Kojima and art director Yoji Shinkawa, bundled with a bunch of press-only bonus items handed out at a Japanese event in 2004.

These are just a few of the items on Play for Japan's auction list. Go bid on stuff! When these charity drives end, bidding on rare game stuff on eBay will once again become a selfish act.